Western Kentucky vs. James Madison: Predictions, odds, how to watch Boca Raton Bowl
Who's going to play for James Madison and Western Kentucky in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl? It's the question that looms over the first football game ever played between these two schools when they meet Wednesday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.
Western Kentucky (8-5) has seen at least 27 players enter the transfer portal since losing to Jacksonville State in the Conference-USA championship game last month, including starting quarterback and C-USA offensive player of the year Caden Veltkamp. James Madison (8-4) is the favorite even though it's expected to be without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III after he suffered an injury in the team's loss to Marshall in the regular season finale.
On paper, James Madison's rushing attack ranked among the country's top 30 this year and seems to give the Dukes an advantage, given Western Kentucky had a rushing defense that ranked last in the conference and among the five worst in the nation. But with personnel changes certain when compared to the regular season, intrigue abounds on what each team might look like in this one.
Here's what else to know about the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl matchup between Western Kentucky and James Madison, including predictions, betting odds and how to watch:
Western Kentucky vs. James Madison predictions
Paste BN: JMU is unanimous pick
- Scooby Axon: James Madison
- Jordan Mendoza: James Madison
- Paul Myerberg: James Madison
- Erick Smith: James Madison
- Eddie Timanus: James Madison
- Dan Wolken: James Madison
ESPN: Western Kentucky 28, James Madison 26
"Both teams are capable enough on defense and can spread the ball around in the passing game, as WKU's Caden Veltkamp has 23 touchdown passes. Hilltoppers coach Tyson Helton is 4-1 in bowls, though, and will add a close win to his ledger."
College Football News: James Madison 34, Western Kentucky 16
"This one will be rough. Not only is WKU hammered by the transfer portal, but James Madison star QB Alonza Barnett III is hurting with an apparent leg injury (and won't play). James Madison should be okay enough to get by. There’s a decent next-man-up thing happening with this team, but WKU is way too (hurt) by losses to hold up."
The Athletic: James Madison wins
All nine experts at The Athletic picked James Madison to beat Western Kentucky in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.
BetMGM: JMU wins, WKU covers
BetMGM's betting model gives James Madison a 70.5% chance of beating Western Kentucky, as of Friday, December 13, based on game simulations, offensive and defensive matchups and recent game result. But the model predicts with 55.1% confidence that Western Kentucky will cover the spread.
USA Today college football bowl schedule
Boca Raton Bowl game odds, spread and lines
The James Madison Dukes are favorites to defeat the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, according to the BetMGM odds.
Betting odds as of Tuesday evening:
- Spread: James Madison (-7)
- Moneyline: James Madison (-275); Western Kentucky (+225)
- Over/under: 51.5
How to watch Boca Raton Bowl: TV, streaming and schedule
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
- Location: FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: Fubo
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